Lifting saddle for vessels

ABSTRACT

A lifting saddle for moving a heavy object such as a pressure vessel from horizontal position to vertical position includes a yoke which encircles a portion of the girth of the object. Cables attached to the yoke encircle another portion of the girth of the object to secure the object and yoke together. Tension elements extend longitudinally from the yoke to apply lifting forces to the vessel at a location remote from the yoke. The tension elements may comprise metallic straps secured to opposite ends of a crossbeam extending diametrically through a portion of the vessel, or the tension elements may comprise flexible cables passing under a portion of the vessel. Contact between the yoke and the outer surface of the vessel may be provided by radial posts on the yoke or by an arcuate contact member on the yoke.

[ 1 Mar. 19, 1974 United States Patent [191 Soehrens LIFTING SADDLE FOR VESSELS Primary Examiner-Evon Blunk 75 I t h E.S h P d nven or J0 n 08 tens asa ena Cahf Assistant Examiner-James L. Rowland [73] Assignee: C F Braun & Co., Alhambra, Calif. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lyon & Lyon Filed: July 11, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT A lifting saddle for moving a heavy object such as a 211 Appl. No.: 270,590

pressure vessel from horizontal position to vertical position includes a yoke which encircles a portion of the girth of the object. Cables attached to the yoke encircle another portion of the girth of the object to secure the object and yoke together. Tension elements extend longitudinally from the yoke to apply lifting forces to the vessel at a location remote from the yoke. The tension elements may comprise metallic 9 moA s IZIEQI, Hc 7 46 ,6 3 16A Dl Z E u7 u 7 M r a M WBRM 4 W77 2 9 "6 2 n yap. mwnA W MNHB m m o WWI Q, mmm 3 mmh M .c mmmD "8 mus 0 l 628 s a 7 UhF ii] 218 555 [56] References Cited straps secured to opposite ends of a crossbeam ex- UNITED STATES PATENTS tending diametrically through a portion of the vessel,

5 86 h m m b aww w cu m m k i n baea .1 5 Ka fl m .vw a e eo r. .m .m e we r1 1 ell PRf F m y g 0W n 0 cm; ymx w ea at nkr m mSOW D 8 {3 8 5 a not h eiiu tm mmo n i P h .m e h C at e f f 4 .m nym eued gke ya- 0 0% h fi v t aeo I I0 oPmPc 7D4AD43 nQHP l 44 8H /99 4 2M422 2 9 mnwm mmrmmo P mm [105 m m a i. h SHATH Schellberg Selman........

.lllllll LIFTING SADDLE FOR VESSELS This invention relates to a lifting saddle for moving a heavy elongated object such as a pressure vessel from horizontal position to vertical position. Pressure vessels are usually constructed and transported in horizontal position but often are required to stand erect in a vertical position during use. Because of the size and weightof the pressure vessel, two separate lifting cranes may be required to move it from horizontal to vertical position. The lifting saddle of this invention enables two cranes to lift the vessel even though their lifting hooks may not be precisely synchronized in their upward travel. A third crane may be used in a tailing operation to keep the lower end of the vessel from dragging in the dirt while the lifting process is being carried out.

The lifting apparatus is designed to be used with two similar pieces of lifting equipment such as two cranes or two pulls. The place of connection between the crane blocks or pole load blocks and the lifting apparatus is located along a transverse axis of the vessel. This allows the vessel to hang plumb in a plane through its longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the transverse axis when the vessel is free-hanging.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in diagrammatic form showing a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the vessel in horizontal position.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation showing the vessel in inclined position during the lifting operation.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation showing the vessel in upright operative position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view on a larger scale.

FIG. 6 is an end view showing a modification.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing another modification.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the device shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawings the object to be lifted generally designated 10 may take the form of a generally cylindrical pressure vessel having a supporting skirt 1] at one end. In accordance with this invention. a lifting saddle generally designated 12 is provided for moving the pressure vessel 10 from the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2 through the inclined position shown in FIG. 3 and finally rested in upright vertical position as shown in FIG. 4. Two lifting cranes 13 each having a load block 14.are connected'through links 15 to a yoke 16 which forms a part of the lifting saddle 12.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 15, metallic plates or straps l9 and 20 forming a part of the lifting saddle 12 extend longitudinally and are bolted at 21 to the yoke 16. and at 22 to the projecting ends of a cross-beam 23 which projects diametrically through the skirt 11. A third crane 24 having load blocks 25 is connected to the projecting ends of the crossbeam 23 by means of a cable sling 26. This third crane is used in a tailing operation during lifting of the vessel 10 by means of the cranes 13, to keep the skirt 11 from dragging on the ground. As best shown in FIG. 5, the yoke 16 comprises a horizontal beam 28 having side beams 29 and 30 fixed to' its ends and cooperating to encompass a portion of the girth of the vessel 10. Radial posts 31 and 32 are provided on the side beams 29 and 30,

respectively, and each is equipped with a pad 33 for contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical vessel 10. Other radial posts 35 and 36 are provided on the beams and each is provided with a pad 37 for contact with the vessel 10. Angle braces 38 may be provided for the radial posts 35 and 36. Clamp rods 39 are secured by threaded fastenings 40 to the side beams 29 and 30 andthese rods encompass an additional portion of the girth of the vessel 10 and serve to clamp the vessel to the yoke 16.

When the lifting saddle 12 supports the pressure vessel 10 in horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 2, the horizontal beam 28 rests on a supporting surface 42 and the pads 33 and 37 on the radial posts of the yoke 16 contact the outer cylindrical surface of the vessel 10 and support it at a location on one side of the center of gravity 43 of the vessel 10. A removable support 44 on the other side of the center of gravity 43 rests on the I surface 42 and contacts the skirt 11.

Each of the side beams 29 and 30 is provided with a reinforced bearing opening 46 for reception of a pin 47 carried by each of the links 15. The lifting force furnished by the cranes 13 is therefore applied to the'lifting saddle 12 through the bearing openings 46. When the vessel 10 is in horizontal position as shown in FIG. 2, the lifting saddle 12 supports the greater part of the weight of the vessel 10, and the tension members 19 are not loaded. When the vessel 10 is lifted to the inclined position shown in FIG. 3, a part of the load is transmitted through the yoke 16 and the remainder is transmitted through the longitudinal plates or straps 19. When the vessel 10 reaches the vertical position, the tension members 19 transfer the entire weight to the skirt 11 and the yoke 16 carries no load. 1

After the vessel 10 is rested in upright vertical position as shown in FIG. 4, the lifting saddle 12 is removed and the crossbeam 23 is removed.

In the modified form of the inventionshown in FIG. 6, the yoke 16a employs an arcuate contact pad 51 which extends for more than one-quarter of the circumference of the cylindrical vessel 10. The diametrically positioned pads 52 are mounted on adjusting screws 53 carried on the side beams 29a and 30a.

In the modified form of the invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the vessel 10b does not have a skirt and instead is supported on a plurality of legs 55. The yoke 16b is similar to that previously described, but the tension elements take the form of flexible cable slings 19b. The cable slings extend under the lower end 56 of the vessel 10b and between the legs 55. The crossbeam is not used.

In all forms of the yoke shown in the drawings and described above, the load block connecting links 15 are located a greater distance outside the vessel diameter than is required to provide block clearance to the vessel. This additional width provides a better lifting operation from a dynamic standpoint than if the width were determined for block clearance alone Since the system is non-equalizing, the dynamic characteristics of the operation become significant.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I am not to be limited to the details herein set forth but that my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for transporting a heavy elongated object and for manipulating the object between, a horizontal position and a vertical position wherein the object may rest on a supporting end thereof, the apparatus comprising: a lifting saddle adapted to be located between the center of gravity of the object and its end remote from the supporting end,the lifting saddle including a rigid frame structure underlying the object when in a horizontal position and including means engaging the object to support and position the object with respect to the frame structure, and means encompassing the object and removably attached to the frame structure, for securing the saddle to the object; tension means extending longitudinally from the saddle and secured to the object between its center of gravity and the supporting end; a first means pivotally connected to the saddle adjacent said frame structure for application of a first lifting force tending to tilt the object from a horizontal to a vertical position, wherein the object is supported principally by the tension members;

and a second means pivotally connected to the object between its center of gravity and supporting end for application of a second lifting force to counteract tilting of the object and permit raising the object for transportation in an essentially horizontal position.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: the tension means is a pair of straps rigidly secured to the frame structure as well as the object. 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: the tension means is a flexible cable. 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: the frame structure is channel shaped and includes a cross beam member traversing the object, and end beam members disposed at opposite sides of the object, and the object engaging means is a set of in wardly extending members engaging the object at a plurality of regions. 

1. An apparatus for transporting a heavy elongated object and for manipulating the object between a horizontal position and a vertical position wherein the object may rest on a supporting end thereof, the apparatus comprising: a lifting saddle adapted to be located between the center of gravity of the object and its end remote from the supporting end, the lifting saddle including a rigid frame structure underlying the object when in a horizontal position and including means engaging the object to support and position the object with respect to the frame structure, and means encompassing the object and removably attached to the frame structure, for securing the saddle to the object; tension means extending longitudinally from the saddle and secured to the object between its center of gravity and the supporting end; a first means pivotally connected to the saddle adjacent said frame structure for application of a first lifting force tending to tilt the object from a horizontal to a vertical position, wherein the object is supported principally by the tension members; and a second means pivotally connected to the object between its center of gravity and supporting end for application of a second lifting force to counteract tilting of the object and permit raising the object for transportation in an essentially horizontal position.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: the tension means is a pair of straps rigidly secured to the frame structure as well as the object.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: the tension means is a flexible cable.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: the frame structure is channel shaped and includes a cross beam member traversing the object, and end beam members disposed at opposite sides of the object, and the object engaging means is a set of inwardly extending members engaging the object at a plurality of regions. 